storms of life - Thoughts About God

What is Your Hail?

Devotionals — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:06:27 +0000

“Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?” Job 38:22b-23 (KJV)

I rarely read the King James Version but, as I read one of my devotionals, these verses caught my attention. The treasures of the hail hit me – right between the eyes. This is what I saw.

Okay. Here’s a thought. When you were little and frightened by a thunderstorm, did you ever run to your dad or mom and crawl up in his or her lap, wanting to be comforted with hugs? Just the nearness of the one who loved you sufficed, right?

So, what is my hail? What stormy circumstances pummel me with pellets of heartache? What is my treasure in all this? Where do I go in my tears? To the Father! To the One I know who loves me and longs for me to crawl up in His lap.

Sometimes, we see these trials as black cloud-shapes of the enemy, but not every black cloud contains an enemy. What if those times of trouble could be used against the enemy, for that day of battle? Can I use those situations for God’s glory by not complaining, by being thankful and praising God, and by seeking God’s presence and His will?

Do we realize those dark clouds threatening to overtake us announce His arrival and conceal His presence? F. B. Meyer wrote, “A storm is only the outskirts of His robe—the symptom of His advent and the environment of His presence.” As the hem of His garment. Stirring up the atmosphere. But His presence is in the cloud. His peace awaits us in the midst of the cloud. In the eye of the storm.

The Father’s nearness is our treasure hiding in the dark clouds. Where did David say God hid? “He made darkness His hiding place.” Psalm. 18:11 (NASB)

“Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace.” ~Charles Spurgeon

If God hides in the clouds, don’t the riches, the blessings, of His presence await us there? In the eye of the storm awaits the treasures of His guidance, His peace, His words of comfort, the riches of His glory. And more. Do we seek all He has for us in these times?

“Do not be afraid to enter the cloud that is settling down on your life – God is in it. The other side is radiant with His glory.” ~Unknown

Do not allow the clouds and hail of your circumstances to cause the darkness of heartache and discouragement to hover over you. Draw near to God in the dark cloud…and find His treasures awaiting you.

“Under the shrouding curtain of His pavilion, you will find God awaiting you.” ~ Unknown

Remember, when a dark, rumbling cloud looms over your life, it is the advent of His presence. Trust Him. Continue your service to Him. Wait it out, rest in His presence, and things will be better on the other side.

You are never without hope, for He will never leave you lacking the assurance of His presence. He will see you through the hail and the storm.

Praise Him Who rides the clouds over your life, Who meets you in the eye of the storm, in the midst of the pellets of hail, and says, “Peace. Peace, be still!”

What is your hail circumstance? Where does it send you? What is your treasure?

By Lynn Mosher
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Life’s Passing Storms

Walking Through Storms

God’s Peace in the Storms of Life

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The post What is Your Hail? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Storm Survival

Devotionals — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 08:03:22 +0000

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 ESV

My cell phone sounded the emergency signal: “Hurricane approaching! Seek shelter now!”

As the hurricane loomed, news stations cautioned viewers to prepare for a very dangerous storm. Examples were given of those who ignored or procrastinated in past storms and met devastating consequences.

But we were prepared – house boarded, necessary food and water purchased and storm kit replenished. Still, the wind pounding against the house was frightening, especially since the storm shutters prevent you from seeing what’s happening outside. Eventually, it was night and the power went out, so we were blind to what was going on anyway.

All we could do was pray and trust.

Jesus cautioned, “…in the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33 ESV). Tribulation is from the Greek word thlipsis, meaning pressure; confined and without options; a no-way-of-escape kind of pressure. Sounds like a hurricane, but also life’s storms.

Jesus prefaced His warning with, “I have said these things that in me you may have peace.” How do we have peace amidst life’s binding circumstances?

It certainly wasn’t peaceful that night. But the word peace, eiréné, is an inner peace, like peace of mind. Moreover, it indicates wholeness, as in all essential parts joined together. Like “abiding.”

Many leaves and branches blew down when the storm winds ravaged, but I noticed the ones closer to the trunk stayed intact. Are you abiding in Him, so closely joined that nothing can shake you lose?

In John 15:4, Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself...”

Fruit? What is one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?

“Peace.”

Every day without a storm is preparation time. If we have our spiritual storm survival kit equipped, abiding in His Word and prayer, then we will be strengthened and have His inner peace whenever life’s storms surge.

Lord, thank you that as I abide in you, no storm in life can shake me loose.

By Penny Cooke
Used by Permission

Calm

Devotionals — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 08:03:16 +0000

I recently read …

Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor!
Psalm 107:26-30 (NLT)

Which led me to read this…

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:37-39 (NKJV)

Which led me to this…

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, Mark 6:47-51 (NLT)

Which brought me to this…

How are we doing in our little boat of life—as we sail upon the sea of culture’s changing tide, upon the strong winds of adversity that batter against our sides, upon the coming and going of people’s views and opinions that seek to redirect our course, upon the highs and lows of the world’s pressures and demands that put stress upon our sails, upon the churning waters of rebellion and discontentment that seek to overturn us, upon the undercurrents of opposition and persecution that want to push us back, upon the riptides of the devil’s schemes that want to keep us from advancing, and upon the choppy onslaughts of misunderstanding, misrepresentation and false accusation that want to sink us before arriving on the other shore?

Let’s pray for one another and encourage one another to stay in the boat…and always remember that it is not our boat…it belongs to our Captain. His hands are on the wheel, He has set the course, He has trimmed the sail and knows how to use the winds for good. His compass is true, His bearings are right. The boat won’t sink! He will never abandon His post, and He will safely bring us to the other shore.

Do you find yourself battling against a storm of emotions or opposition that is beating against your soul? Ask your Captain, Jesus, to speak to the storm…He still has the power to quiet the winds and bring calm the storm.

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

Be At Peace

Devotionals — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 09:03:48 +0000

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:39 (ERV )

After ministering to the multitudes, Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat in order to get to the other side. Immediately upon entering the boat, Jesus goes to sleep and a storm arises. The wind and the waves begin to beat upon the ship. Of course this does not startle Jesus, but the disciples begin to panic.

As I look back over these verses, I can’t help but think that the Lord will often allow us to go through challenging situations just to show us what is on the inside of us. Sure, we may be walking with Him daily, reading our Bibles, fasting, and praying, but what is our response in the midst of the storm? Are we calm and confident of the Lord’s protection or are we frightened and unsettled like the disciples? When Jesus arose He spoke peace to the storm. He also rebuked his followers for being fearful and having no faith.

How is it that we have no faith when the Lord is present in our situation? That is a question that we must answer for ourselves. Through experience I have learned that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. The problem arises because we cannot see Him working. Think about it. Jesus was present but they did not see Him actively working in their situation. We must come to know that wherever Jesus is at rest, there will be peace. If He is not bothered by what is going on then we need to follow His lead. If He truly lives on the inside of you, you possess the same power; you too can speak peace to your storm.

I speak peace to the storms that are raging in your life today. Be at peace and trust His promises to you. God is not slack concerning His promises. Make it a point to rest in His love for you.

Father thank you for the covenant of peace you have given us. I pray that you will continue to surround us with your loving-kindness; may we drink in your goodness as you keep us in your arms of protection. In Jesus name Amen

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission
Excerpt from Be Attitudes: Devotional Journey to a Healthier and Happier You:
August 2013

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